Daughter of War

I'm a big fan of Simon Turney's work, so I always go into a new book with high levels of expectation. Thankfully, so far I've never been disappointed, and this trend continues with his latest work. Daughter of War is, in short, the perfect historical novel. We have a period of history that is described so vividly and passionately that it's believable and real. The story is fact paced and relentless, with no filler. The cast of characters are brilliant, with the hugely impressive preceptrix Ermengarda stealing the show. The Geman knight Lutolf plays the tough master swordsman well, and young Arnau is going to be a brilliant protagonist as this series progresses.

What makes this even more enjoyable though, is that Turney has taken such a well known and popular period of history - the Templar's and the crusades, and still given us a completely fresh story with a new approach. 12th Century Spain is a place I'm very much looking forward to returning.

Daughter Of War (Knights Templar #1) is historical fiction set in 1198. It revolves around the mysterious Templar Knights. The book opens with a battle in the Aragon area between Spanish Lords and a raiding group of Moors. Arnau de Vallbona is among the Spaniards, fighting alongside his Lord. But Arnau is unsure of his future when Lord Berenguer de Santa Coloma is killed . Berenguer’s heir is his fifteen year old daughter; however, straight after her father’s funeral, the king’s representative orders her betrothal to the vile Ferrer della Cadeneta, a treacherous man who did nothing to save Berenguer when he had the opportunity.

But the fifteen year old Lady Titborge is no child, and she asks Arnau to help her escape. They seek refuge at a Templar monastery in Roureel, offering the Templars the lands and wealth of the Santa Coloma estates. But just how low will della Cadeneta stoop to get the fortune that Titborge can give him?

Religion was a strong theme in the medieval era, and most readers of history know of the Knights Templar. Less is written about the order in Spain. Turney has chosen to base his story around two, real life, Templar sisters. Woven throughout the story are strong Templar themes of religion. But we are also reminded that, in reality, the Templar rubrics would have been melded with secular habits to fit the needs of the monasteries and the demands on the knights.

The story follows Arnau’s narrative; there are plenty of fight scenes as Cadeneta is relentless in his attempts to get either Titborge or her estate titles. This will appeal to readers who like a story which doesn’t have a romantic sub-plot. Overall, an interesting insight into both brothers and sisters of the Knights Templar.

Daughter of War
 
Right away I want to say I really enjoyed this book.  I was a bit hesitant to sigh up to review as this era is not my normal choice of reading, but the cover really grabbed my attention.  however, the cover proved to be rather misleading, I won't go any further that saying this as I don't want to spoil the story for you!
 
The author did a great job building the characters into people you understood and cared about, the historical back ground was explained extremely well and the storyline kept my attention right to the end which was very well constructed.  This is just a great book and one I would recommend without hesitation.

5 stars - I loved it. What a different take on the Templars and a more detailed view of the "way things worked" in the 12th Century.

I couldn't put it down and read it from cover to cover, including all the notes at the end of the book, in just one sitting. Apart from the fascinating historical aspects, the characters really did come to life and pulled me into their story, hence the one sitting and the yawns this morning. More in this series please Simon...

Having conquered ancient Rome, Simon Turney turns his hand to medieval Spain.

Daughter of War is set in 1198. It is a period of upheaval and violence, a time of bloody reconquest, as Christians battle Moors to reclaim the kingdoms of Iberia. In this tumultuous time there are several factions, each vying for power, land and wealth and not all followers of Christ are friends of the Knights Templar. Against this canvas of intrigue, greed and uneasy alliances, Turney brings us the gripping tale of Arnau de Vallbona, a young knight, who finds himself thrust into conflict with a ruthless noble. Along with the lady he is sworn to protect, the honourable Arnau joins the "Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon" where he learns there is great strength in giving oneself over to higher causes. And victory can come from placing one's faith not only in God, but in his new brothers and sisters of the Temple.

Turney is a master-storyteller and this is a classic, epic adventure that hurtles headlong like a galloping destrier. With prose and plotting as polished and sharp as a Templar's longsword, Simon Turney propels the reader into the turbulent time of twelfth century Spain.